Mechanism for forming covers on the trays of telescopic boxes



April 2 8,\ 1942. w. c. yNcoDEMUS ETAL 2,281,005

MEOHANISM FOR FORMING COVERS ON THE TRAYS OF TELESCOPIC BOXES Filed Dec.' 21,. 1940 14 Sheets-Sheet I1 April y2s, 1942.

w. c. NlcopEMUs Yrs1-m. 2,281,005

MECHANISM FOR FORMNG COVERS ON THE TRAYS OF TELEVSCOPIC BOXES 14 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 21, 1940 April 2K8, 1942.` w. c. Nlcobt-:MU-s ETAL MECHANISM FOR FORMING COVERS ON THE TRAYS OF TELESCOPIC BOXES Filed Dec. 21, 1940 14 sheets-sheet :s

w. c. NlcoDEMus ETAL 2,281,005 y MECHANI-SM FOR FORMING COVERS ON TRAYS OF TELESCOPIC BOXES April 28, 1942.

Filed Dec. 21, 1940 14 Sheets-Sheet 4 April 28, 1942. w. c. NlcoDEMus Erm. 2,281,005

MECHANISM FOR FORMING COVERS ON THE TRAYS OF TELESCOPIC BOXES Filed Dec. 2l, l9\40 14 Sheets-Sheet 5 w. c. NlcoDEMus ETAL 2,281,005 MECHANISM FOR FORMING COVERS ON THE TRAYS OF TELESCOPIC BOXES April 2s, 1942.

MEOHANISM FOR FORMING COVERS ON .THE 'TRYS OF TELESCOPIC BOXES April 28, 1942- w. c. NlcoDEMus Erm. 2,281,005v vMEJ'CI'IANISIv FOR FiORMING COVERS ON THE TRAYS F TELESCOPIC BOXES Filed Dec. 21, 1940 14 Sheets-Sheet 8 P" 28,1942l w. c. NicoDEMus afm. 2,281,005

MEGHANISM FOR FORMING COVERS ON THE TRAYS TELESGOPIC BOXE 14 sheetsLsheet 9 Filed Dec. 21, 1940 HMVN OWN April 28, 1942. w. c. NlcoDEMus `ET AL 2,281,005

MECHANISM FOR FORMING COVERS 0N THE TRAYS OF TELESCOPIC BOXES Filed Dec.- 2l, 1940 14 Sheets-Sheet l0 April 2s, `1942.

w. c. NicoDEMus ETAL MECHANISM FOR FORMNG COVERS ON THE TRAYS OF TELESCOPIC lBOXES 14 sheets-sheet l11 Filed Dec. 21, 1940 hrzem C. /Vccodenuzs c BoxEs W. C. NICQDEMUS ETAL MEcHANIsM FOR FQRMING COVERS 0N THE TRAYs o'F TELEscoPI April 28, 1942.

' Filed Dec. 21, 1940 14 sheets-sheet 12 Whler CNzcodenLaS H Owrl/ Y 6 @OD Br@ www w. c. NlcoDEMus ET AL 2,281,005

MECHANISM FOR FORMING COVERS ON THETRAYS OF TELESCOPIC BOXES April 28, 1942.

14 Shets-Sheet 13 l sv a um@ mom o E JQ@ pwN Z/CO U n.6 ,MJ 1 w m @um C. msm n" m April 28, 1942 w. c'. NlcoDEMus ETAL 2,281,005

MECHANIS'M FOR FORMING COVERS ON THE TRAYS OF TELESGOPIC BOXES Filed Dec. 21, 1940 14 Sheets-Sheet 14 .Nico

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TpOwTC 6 ezra `a portion of the ranged above and parallel with Patented Apr. 28, 1942. y

UNITED STATE s rATeN'r orties f MECHANISM FOR `FORMING: COVERSv ON THE TRAYS OF TELESCOPIC BOXES Wilmer C. Nicodemus and Hugo D. Brown, Barberton, Ohio, assgnors to The Diamond Match Company, New York, N. Y., a corporation of Delaware ApplcationDeccmber 21, 1940, Serial No. 371,083

12 Claims.

This invention relates tomechanism for produong covers for and in nesting relation with therectangular trays of slide or telescopic boxes, having reference more particularly to mechanism for forming covers about box trays supplied with y matches.

The present invention may be described as an attachment for match packing machines of the kind wherein commercial box trays are supported in succeeding order by an intermittently movable` conveyor, which trays as they progress are successively supplied with matches, as disclosed, for example, in Letters Patent of the United tates No, 1,016,436 dated February 6, 1912.

Heretoforein machines of the kind referred to each succeeding `filled tray has been ejected from one side `of the conveyor and nested in a preformed cover situated adjacent the path of the conveyor, but in the presence of an overfilled tray or of an irregularly formed cover the complementary box elements, or either of them, were `subject to damage in the nesting operation.

lTheprincipal object, of the invention is to overcome the objection mentioned by the provision of novel and efcient mechanism whereby a cover ,f

blank is arranged in co-operative relation to each `succeeding filled tray ejected from the conveyer,

andwhereby the blank is formed directly about the tray, as a mandrel, in such manner as to produce a slidable cover or sheathwhich conforms to and encompasses the tray and its contents. l

The embodiment of trated` comprises `means whereby preformed, sanded and scored box cover blanks are successively withdrawn from a stack thereof contained in a hopper, each blank being at once `imposed iiatwise upon a reciprocating feeder structure and pushed therealong to the bite of feed rolls with which a co-axial adhesive applying roll is associated, The latter roll is arranged to apply glue (or other adhesive) to the under- `surface of one of the `end` margins of each advancing blank. Immediately the glue `coating is completed the blank, leaving the feed rolls, `is positioned in the path of the acting end `of the feeder so that in its next effective stroke the feeder abuts the opposing edge ofthe blank and l positivelyadvances it to a suitable support. This `support underlies a stationary former element having a rectangular throat,` the area ofl which `slightly exceeds that of the open top of the underlying tray. The former element constitutes floor of a chamber which is arthe frame strucour invention herein illusl ing machine to ture and which chamber has a resilient lid throughout its length.` As each blank is deposited on the support a filled tray is transferred from the tray conveyer of a match packand upon the top` of a vertically reciprocative two-part plunger whereof the parts have capacity for independent relative vertical movement, and are effective to push the tray and the overlying opposing cover blank through the throat ofthe former element. Thus the body oi` the blank is forced slidably againstthe opposing walls of the throat in a manner to span the open top and at the same time bend down the projecting portions against the side Walls of the filled trays. The relation of the tray to the cover blank is such that the portion of the latter having the glue-coated marginal portion depends well below the bottom` of `the tray thus affording side and bottom fold sections, while the other depending portion of the blank, being relatively short, affords a side fold sectionterminating in a narrow flap or bottom fold section.

bodily moved laterally and across the top `of `the former element. In this movement the end supports are withdrawn from the tray andthe sectional plunger is lowered, and as the package progresses the leading depending portion of the cover blank, by its contact `with the opposing upperl surface of the formery element, is drawn hard against the adjacent side and the bottom of the tray until `the glued margin of the bottom fold laps the previously folded short terminal flap at the opposite side of the bottom of the tray. Hence is provided an eflicient tubular sheath or coverfor thecomplementary tray and itslcontents. Each filled and closed telescopic box as it progresses across the former element pushes the preceding box or boxesthrough the elongated chamber, the resilient lid ofwhich maintains the underlying covers under prolonged pressure` until the glued portions of thecovers have become sei; preparatory to the discharge of the closed l trays from the delivery end of thechamber. In

addition, the mechanism includes co-operatively arranged feeler and clutch devices which are effective not only to arrest the operation of the cover-blank feeding instrumentalities should an empty tray holder of the packer conveyer be inadvertently presented to the tray transfer station, but also to restart the feeder devices in timed relation to the succeeding movement of the conveyer.

The invention also comprises novel features of construction Aand combinations of parts, which,

yin a preferred form, will be hereinafter described and the scope of the invention then expressed in the appended claims.

In the drawings- Figure 1 is a plan of a portion of a typical match packing machine equipped with mechanism embodying our invention for forming covers about the filled match trays, which trays are shown in the conveyer of the packing machine.

Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the mechanism shown in Fig. 1, the cover blanks being indicated in the magazine.

Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical section through the packing machine, as on lthe line 3 3 of Fig. 2, showing the cover mechanism in side elevation.

Fig. 3a is a vertical section through the reciprocating tray ejecting arm of the packing machine, as on the line 3cr-3a of Fig. 3, showing the cam and adjuncts for periodically raising and lowering the arm.

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal section through the cover mechanism, as on the line 4--4 of Fig. 3, the adjacent portion of the packer being shown.

Fig. 5 -is a horizontal section in a plane above the cover feed table, as on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a longitudinal vertical section through the upper portion of the cover mechanism, as on the line 5 6 of Fig. 5, showing the blank feeder frame at the end of its active stroke and also a blank positioned over a filled tray which has been ejected from the packer.

Fig. 7 is a transverse section through the feed `table extension and the longitudinally extending feeder bars therein, as on the line I-'l of Fig. 6. Fig. 8 is a view generally similar to Fig. 6, but showing the feeder frame in its retracted position.

Fig. 9 is a transverse vertical section through the cover mechanism in a plane between the feed rolls and the cover blank folding station, as on the line 9 9 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 10 is a similar section, as on the line lll-i0 of Fig. 4, through the cover-blank magazine and underlying parts, showing a suction device in its down position and a blank thereby imposed on the feeder frame, the device being indicated in dotted lines in its raised position beneath the lowermost blank in the magazine.

Fig. 11 is a perspective View of the feeder frame and adjuncts, showing the frame in its retracted position, and indicating a blank in succeeding positions during its passage from beneath the magazine to the cover folding station.

VFig. 12 is a similar view of a pair of spaced guides for the cover blank in its travel, a blank being shown in position.

Fig. 13 is a partial `vertical section of the cover `mechanism in a plane through and longitudinally of the elongated presser and shaping chamber for the filled and closed boxes, as on the line IS-IS of Fig. 1.

Fig. 14 is a transverse vertical section through the former end of the chamber, and adjuncts, showing the lled tray and the associated cover blank in raised position within the chamber, the blank thus being partially folded about the tray.

Fig. 15 is a perspective view of devices for temporarily supporting the raised tray and its contents.

Fig. 16 is a transverse vertical section through the former element and the adjacent portion of the presser chamber, showing the sectional tray supporting plunger during its upward stroke Within the former element, and also the relative positions of the associated tray and cover blank.

Fig. 17 is a similar view showing the plunger at the limit of its upward stroke and one of its sections depressed, the tray being positioned above the former element, the movable folding blade being shown as projecting under the corner of the tray adjacent the depressed section, and the narrow end panel of the blank being thereby folded under and against the bottom of the tray.

Figs. 18 and 19 represent cams for operating the respective sections of the plunger.

Fig. 2i) is a sectional perspective View of the top of the plunger, one of the sections being depressed.

Fig. 21 is a perspective View showing the said sections with their tops in the same horizontal plane.

Fig. 22 is a perspective view of a horizontally reciprocative pusher head and connections for advancing the associated tray and cover along the presser chamber.

Fig. 23 is a similar view of a portion of a hinged resilient top element for the said chamber.

Figs. 24 and 25 represent in their idle and active positions, respectively, co-operatively arranged feeler and clutch devices for arresting the operation of the cover-blank feed in the absence of a tray in a holder before the holder reaches the tray ejecting station of the packer.

Fig. 26 is a vertical section through the clutch and the operating shaft of the cover mechanism, as on the line 2li- 26 of Fig. 25.

Fig. 27 is a perspective View of a locking and releasing clutch dog.

Fig. 28 is a general perspective view of the power transmitting means between the drive shaft of the packing machine and the operating shaft of the cover mechanism. f

Fig. 29 is a partial transverse vertical section through the presser chamber, as on the line 29-29 of Fig. 13.

Fig. 30 is a perspective view of one of the walls of the tray receiving trough adjacent the conveyer of the packing machine.

Fig. 31 represents a tray and cover blank in their relative positions in the succeeding steps of forming the cover about the match tray as a mandrel. Y Referring to the drawings, 3l designates a portion of the` intermittently-movable tray conveyer of a match packing machine, which conveyer in the form illustrated includes an endless chain of hingedly connected plates 32 carrying a succession of equally spaced holders 33 for the match trays T. The plates 32, which are mounted to slide in suitable longitudinally extending guideways 34 in the elongated supporting table 35 of the packing machine, are intermittently impelled in co-operative relation to the tray-ini holder` and nested in a complementary cover or shuck"` which is held in positicnto receive the tray. The tray ejecting devices include an eject-` ing head 36d` onthe free end of a reciprocating, rising and falling arm 36, which head has a projecting presser blade 31 which overhangs `and presses down the contents of the adjacent tray. The arm` 36 is pivotally mounted on a lever fast on a rock-shaft 38 under the control of a cam 39 on a shaft 4D which is geared with and driven by themain drive shaft il (Fig. 253)` of the packing machine. The mechanism just described, excepting certain parts hereinafter pointed out, is set forth in the aforementioned Patent No. 1,016,436.

Cover forming and applying mechanism embodying our invention includes a horizontal bed structure 42 which is bolted to and extends outwardly from that side of the packer table in the region of the discharging station, and which bed is also supported by a suitably disposed post 43 rising from the base 44 of the packer. Sup ported `above and parallel with the outer end portion of the bed 42 by means of lateral bearing frames 45 `on the bed, is a table it having a forwardly extending plate 41 slightly below its upper surface. bars 48Which sustain an upstanding magazine 49 constructed and arranged to support in spaced relation to the table a stack ci rectangular cover I' blanks C of pasteboard` or other suitable mata rial. Each blank is of proper dimensions for a matchtray cover and is preferably scored and sanded, that is to say, the blank is scored transversely,.as at a, to define a bottom panel b, a top i2' panel c, two side panels d and e, and a narrow panel f at the outer edge of the side panel d, the other side panel having on its outer surface a longitudinal stripe g of friction material, such as sand. (See Fig. 12).

The magazine in the form illustrated comprises a structure within which the lateral edges of the lowermost blanks of the pile are supported by means of inwardly extending base toes 50 on lower transverse members 5I at the respective sides of the magazine. Each succeeding lowermost blank is forcibly pulled downwardly from the supporting toes 5B and imposed flatwise on a primary feeder including a frame 52 which is slidably mounted for movement toward and from y"I the packing machine, as` will presently appear. The means for transferring the blank from the magazine to the feeder frame comprises ver-A tically reciprocative tubes 53 which are provided at their upper ends with nipple suction cups 54,

and` which tubes are slidably mounted in guides 55 bolted on the bed structure 42. The lower ends of the tubes 53 are attached to flexible tubes 56 in operative communication with a suitable air exhausting element (not shown), which tubes :'.1

are provided intermediate their ends withports 536: which escape the guides 55 when the tubes are in their lowerrnost position, thus opening the ports and breaking the vacuum in the tubes.

Clamped to the tubes 53 is a two-part fitting 51 which is connected by a depending link 58 with a rock-lever 56 fulcrumed on a bracket 604 rising from the base 44. The rock-lever 59 has a lateral roll 16! in operative contact with a cam 62 fast on a transversely extending shaft 63 having its bearings in stands 64 on the base. The shaft 63 is driven by the shaft 40 of the packing machine through bevel gearing 65, and the contour of the cain is such as to effect the periodic oscillation of I the rock-lever 59 in a manner to actuate the H Fixed on the table are spaced tubes 53 and their attached suction cups in timed relation to the feeder frame. (See Figs. 3, 4 and The feeder frame preferably comprises a reciprocating cross-head consisting of two spaced side blocks 66 and a connecting cross-bar 61 therefor, the blocks being slidably mounted on longitudinally` extending brackets 68 bolted on the outer ends of the bearing frames 45. Fastened to the cross-bar 61 are two longitudinally extending parallel bars 69, of relatively `thin metal, which are slidably fitted in guideways, including gibs 10 in the top of the table 4B, so as to be reciprocative'upon the table extension 41 toward and from the packer. Fixed on the respective bars 69, intermediate the ends thereof, are longitudinally arranged wedge-.shaped blocks 1I whereof the higher ends, when the feeder frame is moved forwardly, that is, toward the packer, provide shoulders 12 adapted to impinge the opposing end of the cover blank previously f placed on the upper portions of the feeder bars by the suction devices, thus pushing the blank flatwise beyond the table 46 and entering the `leading end of the blank in the bite of two corwhat greater than the width of a cover blank so that when such bars are in retracted position their free ends are belowthe bites of the respective pairs of feed rolls.

The ends of the cross-bar 61 are pivotally connected by rods 'i4 with crank disks 15 on the respective ends of a transverse shaft 16 having its bearings in stands 11 formed at the respective sides of the bed structure 42. Fast on one end of the shaft16 is a sprocket wheel 18 which `is connected by means of a chain 19 with and driven from a lower similar wheel 36 having a clutch connection (hereinafter described) with the operating shaft 53 for the cover mechanism. Hence when the wheel 8l! is clutched to its shaft 63, motion is transmitted to the upper shaft 16 and the crank disks 15, thus effecting the reciprocation of the feeder frame through the connecting rods 14 in timed relation with the suction devices. (See Figs. 1, 2, 3, 11 and 28.)

Shafts 8i and B?. for the upper rolls 13 of the respective pairs of feed rolls are arranged advjacent and'parallel with the -operating shaft 53 so' that the rolls grip the leading end of the cover blank when it is initially impelled by the feeder frame. `The lower shaft 32 is journaled in hearing blocks located in the side frames 11 and below t -eforward end of the table 46 while the upper shaft lil is journaled in blocks slidably mounted in the frames 11 and above the table. The shafts 8| and 82 are provided at one end with meshing gears 83, the lower shaft at its opposite end having a gear B4 in mesh Witha gear on the crank disk shaft 16. The ratio of the gearing just described is such that the feed rolls are driven in timed relation with the feeder frame. (See Figs. l, 4, 5, 9 and 11.)

Fast on the lower feed roll shaft 82 adjacent one end thereof is a glue applying roll 86 the periphery of which rotates in contact with the under marginal surface of the bottom panel b present instance the glue pot which we have adopted includes a depending reservoir 810 containing an ample supply of glue for an extended run, which reservoir has therein a screw regulated piston 81| by the manipulation of which the level of the glue in the pot can be maintained, as occasion may require.

Fast on the table extension 41 are lateral parallel guidebars 83 and 89 which are. constructed and arranged to receive the adjacent edges of the blank being impelled by the feed rolls 13 and thefeeder frame 52, thus uniformly guiding the sheet in its travel toward the packer. I The guide bar 98, which rearwardly terminates at the end of the table 45 beneath the bite of the feed rolls, has on its inner side a longitudinal flange 99 that overhangs and lies slightly above the table extension, -thus forming a guide- Iwayy for one edge of the blank, the undersurface of the fiange 9|] being bevelled at its receiving end, as at 929, Fig. l2. The other guide bar 89 is formed with a marginal portion 9| of inverted U-form in cross-section which not only overhangs the floor but also forms therewith a longitudinal channel guide for the adjacent edge of the cover blank. The portion 9| extends slightly above the level of the table and is downwardly bevelled at that end 92 adjacent the bite of the feed rolls. As the leading edge of the blank escapes the rolls such edge impinges the opposing bevelled surfaces 92 and 929 and is thereby deflected toward the table extension 41. Thence the two edges of the blank, in its advancement by the feed rolls, enter the respective guideways and travel therealong in proximity to the table extension 41. 'I'he portion of the table extension under the lchanneled portion of the guide bar 89 is longitudinally slotted, as at 93, to preclude pressure of the glued undersurface of the blank against the adjacent surface of the table extension. (See Figs. 5 to 9, inclusive, and Fig. 12.)

Overhanging the gibs 1U of the guideways of the respective feeder bars 69 and extending beneath the upper feed roll shaft 8| are a pair of vhorizontally movable kicker dogs 94, whereof the forward or acting ends, being undercut, as at 95, overlie and abut the trailing edge of a cover blank C presented thereto, as will presently appear. These dogs are pivoted at their rear ends to the lower portion of a pair of spaced arms 96 fixed to and depending from a rock-shaft 91 having its bearings in brackets 98 on the adjacent wall ofthe magazine. Also fixed to and depending from the rock-shaft 91, at one end thereof, is a crank 99 which is connected by means of a link |629 to the upper arm of a vertical lever |0| that is fulcrumed to a bracket 92 rising from the adjacent side of the table 4G. On the lower arm of the lever is a lateral roll |03 which is held in operative contact with an adjacent cam |94 by means of a suitable spring |95 that is secured to the lower lever arm and a fixture |96 on the table. which cam is fast on the crank disk shaft 15. The contour of the cam |94 is such that in a determined interval of rotation of the shaft 'iii the lever i9! is oscillated and the rock shaft 91 thereby actuated, thus through the arms 96 imparting forward and back motion to the two dogs.

The co-operative relation of the parts just described is such that when the blank feeding frame 52 of the primary feeder is at the limit of its rear or outer stroke the feeder bars 69 are in position to receive a cover blank from the magazine, at which stage the forward or free ends of the bars Si! are in a plane directly beneath the bite of the feed rolls of the secondary feeder, or substantially so. A cover blank is then withdrawn from the magazine by the action of the suction devices previously described, and is thereby deposited on the bars 69, forwardly of the abutments 1| as seen in Fig. 8. In the initial forward stroke of the feeder frame these abutments by their contact with the opposing longitudinal edge of the blank, push the blank bodily and evenly forward so as to position its leading edge at the opposing downwardly inclined portions 92 and 92@ of the respective side guides 88 and 89. Coincidentally the blank is gripped by the feed r-olls 19 and is thereby advanced in and between the two side guides; it being noted that the speed of the rolls relative to the feeder frame is such that when the latter is at the limit of its forward stroke the blank is clear of the rolls and is supported throughout its length upon the feed bars, and that the rearward edge of the blank is in close relation to the shouldered ends of the overhanging dogs 94. Therefore in the next succeeding rearward stroke of the feeder frame retrograde movement of the blank is prevented. In this rearward stroke of the feeder frame the bars E9 progressively recede from the blank previously positioned in and between the guides, thus permitting the unsupported portion of the blank to sink upon the table extension 41, as seen in Fig. 8. When the feeder frame completes its rearward stroke the forward ends of the bars 59 project slightly beyond the bite of the feed rolls 13 and under the rearward edge portion of the preceding blank, which edge is thus in engaging relation to the dogs. The dogs then being sharply swung forward, push the opposing blank a short distance within the side guides and beyond the acting ends of the feed bars 69. Thereupon the freed trailing end of the blank snaps down and in front of the adjacent ends of the feed bars, Coincidentally, another blank is withdrawn from the magazine and deposited on the feed bars and in the forward path of the abutments 1|, whereupon in the next succeeding forward stroke of the feed bars the new blank is fed forward as just described in respect to the preceding blank, and the forward ends of the feed bars push the preceding blank along the guideways and project it horizontally therefrom, which ends are preferably under-cut, as at |91, to ensure their efficient engagement with the blank. Likewise in each succeeding reciprocation of the feeder frame a cover blank is withdrawn from the magazine and carried forward by the feeder frame and the feed rolls, which frame during its advancement of one blank ejects the preceding blank flatwise upon a suitably disposed support. This support, in the present instance, is afforded by the upper edge of one of the side walls I 08 of an underlying bottomless trough hereinafter described, which edge underlies the side panel d of the blank. The support also includes two spaced parallel angle strips |09 so arranged that their upper inwardly extending horizontal members overhang the ends of the blank at the respective panels b and f, as and when the blank is positioned on the upper supporting edge of the wall |98. This edge, which is preferably coextensive in length with the strips |09, projects slightly above the normal level of the advancing cover blank, the forward or receiving end of the raised edge being bevelled or rounded, as at x, Figs. 5 and 30, so as to facilitate the passage thereon of the advancing blank while the ends ofthe blank pass under and are uniformly guided by the upper members of the angle strips. Hence when the flexible cover blank reaches its extreme forward position overlying the trough the blank is slightly bowed between the guide strips and thereby held in place. The depending members of the angle strips |99 prevent end displacement of the cover blank and also allow slight downward flexure of the ends of the cover in the initial upward movement of blank by the pressure thereagainst of a tray contained in the trough, as will presently appear. Moreover, since the glue is on the under marginal surface of the cover blank, the adhesive is not brought in contact with the adjacent guide rail.

One end of each of the guide strips me is securedto` the rearward one of two spaced walls II rising from the bed structure and included in` 3a housing which extends from the vicinity of the packer to the outer end of the bed, which rearward wall has therein a suitable opening I l i i for the free passage of each succeeding cover blank to its position over the trough. (See Figs. 4, 5, 6, 8,16 and 17.) 'Ihe top panel c of the blank thus imposed on the tray support bridges the bottomless troughpreviously mentioned, which trough is adapted to receive each succeeding filled trayas it is endwise ejected from the packer conveyer.` As shown the trough is constituted by the wall H28 and a spaced parallel side wall I I 2, which` walls rise from a bottom end member |I3 adjacent the path of the conveyer and are spaced to receive the tray between them and directly under the top panel c of the cover blank. The front wall IIS] oi the housing has therein an opening ||4 throughwhich the receiving end of the trough extends. The trough wall ||2 terminates short of the top of the tray contained in the trough, and is provided with spaced upstanding members IIS having their upper ends pointed and rearwardly deflected, as at IIE, so as to oppose the depending glue coated surface of the cover blank during the folding thereof about the tray as a mandrel, as will now be explained.

Mounted for vertical reciprocation into and throughlthe open trough is a longitudinally divided plunger whereof the parts I Il and I I3 have capacity for concurrent and relative vertical movement, and to that end they are slidably mounted in a vertical casing H9 which extends through an opening in the bed structure 42, and hasa forwardly projecting flange 123 that is bolted to the under side of the table of the packing machine. The sections of the plungers have secured thereto depending bars Iil, `|2I, respectively, which are equipped at their lower ends `with lateral rolls |22 operatively fitted in the races |23 of a pair of spaced face cams |24 and |25, respectively, fast on the operating shaft E3. The cam races are of such contour and are so `disposed in relation to each other as to effect sequential movements of the two plunger sections, as follows:

Assuming a filled tray is positioned beneath a cover blank on the support |58 and the two (i5` "plunger sections III and |I8 are in down posii ter remains at rest. Then as the cams continue than that of the open top of the tray, and therefore as the associated tray and blank enter and progress upwardly through the throat the laterally projecting portions of the cover blank are forced downwardy and against the sides of the filled tray by the opposing rounded faces of the cheek bars, the upper panel (c) of the blank spanning `the top, and the respective end portions of the blank depending below the tray and the throat of the former element; that is to say, i l

the narrow iiap panel (a) extends below the lower edge of the adjacent side of the tray, and the bottom panel (b) with the marginal stripe of glue on its inner surface extends farther below the lower edge of the other side of the tray, the glue coated surface h bearing against and `being outwardly deflected by its contact with the opposing bearing points I6 on the adjacent wall ||2 of the tray trough so as to be clear of the sectional plunger during the downward stroke of the latter. (See Figs. 16 and 17.) When the plunger is at the limit of its upward stroke the bottom of the tray is slightly above the top of the former element; thereupon when the plunger section I I'I is independently lowered a short distance there is provided under the adjacent bottom portion of the tray a space |28 which permits the under bending of the narrow panel f of the blank against the bottom, while the tray is supported by the plunger section I I8, as seen in Fig. 17. The bending or folding means herein shown comprises a blade |29 which is reciprocable in a suitable guideway |30 in the upper surface of the adjacent cheek bar of the throat element, and is carried by a cross-head ISI slidably mounted in longitudinal guide `bars |32 on the inner sides of the housing walls Iill. 'I'he cross-head |3| is pivotally connected by a link |33 to the upstanding end of a lever arm |34 rising from a hub |35 loose on a stud shaft |36 projecting from a suitably disposed bracketl3I that depends from the bed structure 32. The lower lever arm |38 dependsfrom the hub and has at its lower end a roll |39 operatively tted in the peripheral race |40 of a cam IM fast on the operating shaft 63. Thecontour of the cam race |60 is such that when the tray and its complementary cover blank are raised by the plunger and the plunger section II'I is 'lowered, the cross-head is moved toward the tray, thus forcing the blade against the opposing narrow panel f and thereby bending it under and against the bottom of the tray, so maintaining the blade for a brief interval` preparatory to its retraction.

i In order'to provide a relatively broad supporting surface for the tray when the elevatedlplunger section |"I is initially lowered preparatory to the active stroke of the blade |29,the companion section IIB is providedwith a top plate |42 having an extended inner portion |43 which overhangs the section 1, and thelatter section is provided with a narrow top plate |44` which is y coplanar with the plate |42 when the two plunger `sections are in joint tray supporting relation.

A(See Figs. 13, 16, 17, 20 and 2l.)

The top plate |42 has formed therein, at its end corners remote from the extended portion |43, recesses |45 which permit the free passage of horizontally swinging toes |46 (Figs. 14 and 15) vunder the adjacent corners of the tray while the folder blade |29 is under the bottom of the tray, which toes and blade thus eiectually support the partially covered tray at the top of the throat of the former element when the plunger sections are subsequently lowered. The housing ywalls have therein suitably disposed openings |41 for the free passage' of the toes, each of which toes is constituted by .one arm of a horizontal Vangle member whereof the other arm 241 is flxed to the lower end of a vertical pivot pin |48 having its bearing in a bracket |49 on the outer side of the adjacent housing wall I6. Fast on the upper end of the pivot pin is an actuating arm |56 which is parallel, or substantially so, with the angle` arm 241, and has at its end a roll that extends into a reciprocating casing |52 having a lateralcam wall |53 which, by the reciprocation ofthe casing, bears against and recedes from the roll |5|, thus swinging the arm |56 and positioningthe toe under and from the adjacent bottom end corner of the tray.

The cam casings |52 for the respective toes |46 are mounted on parallel horizontal bars |54 slidably fitted in suitably disposed exterior brackets |55 on the respective housing walls I6. The ends of the bars |54 remote from the former element extend beyond the bed structure 42 and are pivotally connected to levers arms |56 rising from a rock-shaft |51 having its bearings in a bracket |58 extending from the bottom of the structure.

spending from the shaft |51 is an arm 258 having at its lower end a roll |59 which is operatively fitted in the peripheral race 6|) of a cam |6| on the operating shaft 63. (See Fig. 2.) The contour of the cam race is such as to effect the periodic actuation of the lever arms |56, thus reciprocating the cam bars |54 to swing the toes |45 under and retract them from the respective ends of the bottom of the tray, as previously mentioned. (See Figs. 1, 2, 3, 13, 14 and 15.)

Upon the descent of the plunger sections ||1 and ||3 when the partially-covered tray is supported on the folder blade |29 and the inwardly extending toes |46, such tray is bodily pushed from its supports and across the former element by means of a reciprocative cross-head |62 which in its effective stroke presses evenly against the opposing covered side of the tray adjacent the packer. As the partially covered tray is initially advanced by the cross-head the leading depending portion of the blank by its contact with the side and the top of the opposing cheek bar of the former element, is folded upward and against the bottom of the tray, the glue-coated marginal portion of the blank lapping and adhering to the previously folded narrow panel f of the blank.

(See Fig. 13.)

The reduced ends |63 of the cross head |62 ex- Y tend outwardly through longitudinal guide slots `bracket |69 depending from the bed structure 42,

which rock-shaft is in spaced parallel relation to the rock shaft |51 previously referred to. The shaft |68, similarly to the shaft |51, is provided with a depending actuating arm |10 having at its lower end a roll |1| which is operatively tted in the peripheral race |12 of a cam |13 on the operating shaft 63. The contour of the cam race |12 is such as to effect through the lever connections the periodic reciprocation of the slide bars 65, thus reciprocating the cross head |62 in relation to the tray and cover supported over the throat of the former element constituted by the cheek bars |21. (See Figs. 2, 13 and 22.)

The top of the former element is inthe same level as and constitutes, in eiect, a continuation of a oor |14 which is suitably arranged between and longitudinally of the upper portions of the side walls |||1 of the housing so as to provide an elongated chamber of a width and height corresponding respectively with the length and height of a tray, or substantially so. Hence in each reciprocation of the cross-head |62 a tray with its complementary cover is pushed from the former element, and at the same time each succeeding tray advances the preceding covered trays along the chamber. The floor |14 is preferably provided with a top plate |15 having its upper surface concave in cross-section so as to present small supporting surfaces to the lower end corners of each of the covered trays as it advances in the chamber. (See Fig. 29.) This chamber, which constitutes a glue-drying and shaping pasage for the covers of the progressing trays, is equipped throughout its length with a suitable lid. The lid illustrated comprises a frame including two parallel side rails |16 adapted to rest upon the respective side walls of the housing, and also to support the offset ends |11 of a succession of close lying plates |13 having smooth coplanar undersurfaces that are under resilient pressure so as to bear independently and yieldingly upon the opposing covers of the confined closed trays. For this purpose the ends of each plate |18 are provided with openings |19 for the free passage of upstanding guide pins |86 rising from the respective rails |16, and compression springs |8|, which encircle the pins, are interposed between the opposing rails and suitably-disposed nuts or stops |82 on the pins. Preferably the ends of the rails |16 in the vicinity of the former element are hingedly connected to a stationary cross-bar |83 which is fixed to thehousing walls ||0, and the opposite ends of the rails are connected by a cross-bar |64 which, when the lid is in closing position, is detachably secured to the respective walls |11 by means, for example, of the T-nuts |85 of upstanding bolts |36 on the housing walls adjacent the cross-bar |64. The nuts may be readily turned to release the bar |84, and the hinged lid then be bodily swung upward to facilitate access to the contents of the chamber throughout its length, as occasion may require. (See Figs. 13, 14, 16 and 17.)

It is to be noted that the resilient plate |18 at the receiving end of the elongated chamber directly overlies the throat of the former element so that when each filled tray and its cover blank are pushed up through the throat by the plunger the top portion of 'the partially folded blank bears against the opposing resilient plate, in consequence of which the contents of the tray are compacted in a manner to brace internally the walls of the tray and thereby provide a flrm mandrel-like structure for the formation of the encasing cover.

At the outer end of the chamber just described 

